BOND REFERENDUM
General Election
TUESDAY, November 5, 2024
7 A.M. TO 7 P.M.

The Lamar County School District will hold a bond referendum in the general election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, aimed to construct new schools within our district. We understand that decisions regarding taxation and public spending are significant and require careful consideration. However, we believe that investing in new schools is crucial for the growth and success of our community, our children, and our future.

As our community continues to grow, it is essential to have adequate infrastructure to accommodate this growth. Building new schools not only meets the immediate needs of our current population but also prepares us for future changes. This investment demonstrates our commitment to fostering a thriving community where families can establish roots and prosper.

Strong schools are often a driving factor for families when choosing where to live. By investing in new schools, we not only enhance the educational experience for our children but also increase the attractiveness of our community. This, in turn, can positively impact property values and stimulate economic growth.

Our children are the future leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow. By investing in their education today, we are investing in the future prosperity of our community. Building new schools reflects our dedication to providing the best possible opportunities for our children to succeed and thrive in an ever-changing world.

We understand that supporting a school bond referendum involves financial commitment, but we firmly believe that the benefits far outweigh the costs. Together, let us seize this opportunity to invest in the future of our community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this Bond Needed?

This bond issue will allow us to address current and projected enrollment numbers in the fastest growing areas of our county.

Will the school district change the attendance zones lines?

There are absolutely no plans to change the attendance zones lines. We are above maximum capacity in all of our attendance zones. We cannot shift any of our student population from one zone to another. We are building these new buildings to address our current needs and the future enrollment growth that has been predicted in our school district.

Why is the school district building the new buildings at the proposed location?

The new SHS, OGMS, and PHS will all be built on 16th section land. This is land that is set aside by the state for the school districts to use. So the school district already owns the land at each of the proposed locations. That means we will not have to use tax payer dollars to purchase land. Building on these sites ultimately saves taxpayer dollars and reduces the amount it will cost to build these new schools.

How does this bond impact Lamar County Residents?

It is important to know that property taxes are calculated on ASSESSED VALUE, which is a percentage of True Value (e.g. 10% for owner-occupied residential property), NOT appraised or market value.

True Value is typically less than market value (e.g. a home that might sell for $140,000 might have a true value of only $100,000 - $120,000).

Also, taxes for totally disabled homeowners, or age 65 and older are EXEMPT up to $7,500 of the property's Assessed Value (i.e. $75,000 of True Value). Only the Assessed Value over $7,500 is subject to taxes.
Visit Delta Computer Systems to view the current value of your property.
Residents may experience a Maximum of a 2.5 mill increase in property taxes which may mean an investment of $.10 per day ($36.24 per year) for a typical taxpayer.

A house with a True Value of $100k = less than $.07 a day

($100,000 x 10%) x (2.5/1,000) = $25 per year

$15k Vehicle = $.03 cents per day ($11.25 per year)

Will proceeds from the bond be used to pay administrators?

No. Mississippi law will not allow proceeds from a school bond to be used to pay salaries of any kind. MS code 37-59-3 states the school board of any school district is authorized to issue negotiable bonds of such school district to raise money for the following purposes:

(a) Purchasing, erecting, repairing, equipping, remodeling and enlarging school buildings and related facilities, including gymnasiums, auditoriums, lunch rooms, vocational training buildings, libraries, teachers' homes, school barns, transportation vehicles and garages for transportation vehicles, and purchasing land therefor.
(b) Establishing and equipping school athletic fields and necessary facilities connected therewith, and purchasing land therefor.
(c) Providing necessary water, light, heating, air conditioning and sewerage facilities for school buildings, and purchasing land therefor.
(d) Paying part of the costs to be incurred in erecting, repairing, equipping, remodeling and enlarging school buildings and related facilities which are owned and operated by state-supported institutions of higher education as a demonstration or practice school attended by pupils, grades, or one or more, or parts of grades from the educable children of such school district pursuant to a contract or agreement between said institution and said school district.

Where do I vote?

Everyone will vote at their normal voting precincts.

What is the timeline for building the new buildings?

The simple answer is as soon as possible. The 2005 bond issue will be paid in full in June 2025. We will begin site preparation soon after the bond passes and plan to start construction of the new schools in July 2025

Can I vote absentee?

Yes. You may vote absentee in person from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning September 23, 2024, at the County Circuit Clerk’s office, through November 2, 2024.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS BOND?

Lumberton

A new Physical Education (P.E.) facility

Oak Grove

A new Oak Grove Middle School

2 story structure built on Hwy 98 West on 16th section land that the school district already owns.
6th, 7th, and 8th grades with a capacity of 1,400 students. (OGMS currently has 1,250 students)
The building will have a Competition Gymnasium and Band Hall.
The current OGMS:

The building on Old Hwy 24 will be renovated for the 11 Oak Grove Pre- Kindergarten classes.
The back of the campus (Old Hwy 11 entrance) will be converted into Career and Technical Education Classes.

A new Oak Grove Elementary Office Building

The current office space will be converted back to classrooms.

Purvis/Baxterville

A new Purvis High School

2 story structure built on Hwy 11 on 16th section land that the school district already owns.
9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades with a capacity of 900 students. (PHS currently has 617 students)
The building will have a Competition Gymnasium, Band Hall, Choral, Practice/P.E. Fields, and JROTC.

Sumrall

A new Sumrall High School

2 story structure built on Hwy 44 on 16th section land that the school district already owns.
9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades with a capacity of 900 students. (SHS currently has 628 students)
The building will have a Competition Gymnasium, Band Hall, Choral, Practice/P.E. Fields, and JROTC.

Links:

RENDERINGS OF THE PROPOSED SCHOOLS